Archive for the 'The Jacksons' Tag Under 'Soundcheck' Category

If for months it had been advertised that R. Kelly would headline Sunday's third and final night of the BET Experience at downtown L.A.'s Staples Center, you'd expect him to top the bill, right?

Of the evening's three acts – Kelly, the Jacksons and a version of New Edition featuring all six members – the "Ignition" singer was certainly the most imminently popular, a surefire choice to keep the arena packed until the concert's conclusion.

Yet, for whatever reason, Kelly appeared as this night's opening act, with New Edition next in line and the four active Jackson brothers as closers. Given that the last group has struggled to draw sizable crowds at recent smaller-sized gigs, the rundown made little sense, and the folly of it became blatant as droves of patrons left before the Jacksons had even delved into their most beloved hits, sadly reducing the audience to no more than one-fifth capacity.

That's not to say their show was a flop. "Can You Feel It" – led by Jermaine, same as with most of their tunes here – was a crackerjack opener and a mid-set medley of "I Want You Back," "ABC" and "The Love You Save" retained all the panache and vigor of the group's first appearance on Ed Sullivan's show in 1969. Cookin' covers of Michael Jackson's "Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'" and "Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough" rounded out the evening with equally unrestrained energy.

The BET Awards, the annual gala presented by the Black Entertainment Television network, has called Los Angeles home since 2002, initially settling at the Kodak (now Dolby) Theatre before moving to the Shrine Auditorium in 2006.

The live event celebrates achievements by African Americans and other minorities in music, acting, sports and comedy, and is typically preceded by big private parties thrown by nominees, presenters and performers. But this year BET brought in concert promoting giant AEG to shake things up, creating a weekend-long bash dubbed The BET Experience that includes top-notch talent, once-in-a-lifetime performances and an all-inclusive fan fest.

After a few years of talks and negotiation, Sunday's show moves the awards to Nokia Theatre at L.A. Live in downtown Los Angeles. This year's lineup includes performances from Snoop Dogg, Justin Timberlake, Mariah Carey, Stevie Wonder, Nicki Minaj, Miguel, India.Arie and an appearance from lifetime achievement winner, soul/funk artist Charlie Wilson, former frontman for the Gap Band.

Since L.A. Live is also home to Staples Center and Club Nokia, several other events have been scheduled to coincide with the ceremony – including Beyoncé's new production, The Mrs. Carter Show World Tour, which launches its first North American run Friday night at the arena (replaying Monday and Dec. 3).

• The BET Experience at L.A. Live: It wasn’t surprising at all to wake Monday morning and learn that Super Bowl halftime star Beyoncé has announced her next world tour, her first in nearly four years, dubbed The Mrs. Carter Show and starting in Eastern Europe in mid-April. What’s different about the unveiling is that it coincides with similarly big plans from the BET cable network.

Jay-Z’s queen will launch the North American leg of her outing on June 28 at Staples Center ($79.50-$199.50) while simultaneously opening a weekend of major shows and assorted festivities tied to the annual BET Awards, which will be held for the first time at Nokia Theatre on June 30. (Beyoncé also appears June 29 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, $90-$250.)

The takeover of L.A. Live, dubbed the BET Experience, will bring an exhibit to the Grammy Museum, film screenings and seminars, live tapings of the channel’s 106 & Park program, plus a variety of performances, including two more at Staples: a night of hip-hop and urban-soul featuring Snoop Dogg, Black Hippy stars Kendrick Lamar and Schoolboy Q, and critically acclaimed vocalist Miguel on June 29 ($49.50-$99.50); and then R. Kelly with New Edition and the Jacksons on June 30 ($59.50-$129.50).

Also in the mix (with more undoubtedly to be announced) is a Club Nokia set from Erykah Badu the same night Beyoncé takes over the Lakers’ arena, $49.50-$125.

July 23rd, 2012, 6:05 pm by GEORGE A. PAUL, FOR THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

The Jacksons' performance at the Greek Theatre started with the group asking the musical question posed in their hit R&B single “Can You Feel It?”

On Sunday night, the answer was affirmative: a strong camaraderie between the four brothers and the presence of late sibling Michael were both definitely palpable.

Some people might think the Jacksons are simply cashing in after Michael's death. They have countered during interviews that their Unity Tour is a way to pay homage to the legacy and continue the healing process three years later. And nobody is better suited to sing this classic R&B/pop material than Jackie, Jermaine, Marlon and Tito, who all played with him on and off for two decades. (Randy opted not to participate in these concerts.)

We heard at the start of the month that nearly three years after Michael Jackson's death, the surviving members of the Jacksons -- Jackie, Jermaine, Marlon and Tito -- will head out on a Unity 2012 Tour that will stop July 22 at the Greek Theatre.

Now that show is about to go on sale, Friday, April 27, at 10 a.m. Prices: $30-$110.

Meanwhile, add Andrew Bird's name to the list of Coachella artists who have immediately announced return visits. The multi-instrumentalist, who impressed both weekends with material from his new album Break It Yourself and more, will revisit the Greek on Aug. 12. Bonus: Sharon Van Etten will open. Tickets, $29.50-$45, are on sale Saturday at 10 a.m.

Also at the Griffith Park venue and on sale at the time: Buddy Guy with Jonny Lang, Aug. 7, $35-$67 ... Regina Spektor, with Only Son, Aug. 14, $39.50-$55 ... and an evening with Pink Martini, Sept. 9, $35-$115. Plus, Flaco Jimenez has been added to the amphitheater's season-opening Cinco de Mayo celebration, already featuring Los Lobos, Neko Case, X and more. Those tickets, $29.50-$65, are on sale now.